Annual Pooch Parade, arguably the best springtime event for gays, dogs and Dallas
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| YES, YOU MUST WEAR THE BUNNY EARS: Pooch Parade enthusiasts Charlie and drag entertainer Heather Skyy (aka Daniel Bussard) pose for their Easter portrait. |
The annual “Easter in the Park” celebration is a fetching affair that attracts thousands of spectators to the gayborhood. Held in Lee Park, this Sunday marks the 21st anniversary for the springtime event, and each year the GLBT community is very present.
Drag performer Heather Skyy (aka Daniel Bussard) and her mixed-breed doggie, Charlie, are regular attendees. Like many of Dallas’ canine-inclusive families, the Pooch Parade portion of the Easter observance draws throngs of furry quadrupeds and their admirers.
“Charlie is a pretty relaxed dog. He wears whatever I put on him without much fuss,” Skyy says as she straightens Charlie’s pink bunny ears during a recent photo shoot.
Bow-wow Easter bonnets are big hits at the Pooch Parade. And in true Big D fashion, dog owners try to win awards for costumes in
categories like pet/owner look-a-like, best-looking large and cutest small dog. This year’s celebrity judges include Jan Strimple and Mattie Roberts. Complementing the quirky parade, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals sets up a booth for anyone interested in adopting a pet.
The “Easter in the Park Pooch Parade” celebration is presented by the Turtle Creek Association. Lee Park is located at Turtle Creek Boulevard between Hall Street and Lemmon Avenue. Pooch Parade registration ($10) starts at 11 a.m. at the TCA tent on Turtle Creek Blvd. SPCA adoptable dog parade begins at 12:45 p.m. Pooch Parade begins at 1 p.m. Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs at 3 p.m. 972-380-7390.
FLAG-WAVING FUN
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| TWIRL AND SWIRL: Flaggers invade Lubben Plaza on Sunday afternoon. |
The art form of flagging, commonly seen in gay nightclubs, is certainly gaining mainstream acceptance. At last year’s Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving halftime show, Phillip Bryan, pictured, and his merry troupe of flaggers twirled about Texas Stadium as Sheryl Crow performed “If It Makes You Happy.” And the first spectacle that emerged on the catwalk at last month’s Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS Dallas Collection were Bryan and company
swirling hypnotizing acrobatics of fluorescent silk.
If you’ve ever desired to join the flagging fun in the great outdoors, the group Dancer Texas celebrates the sixth annual “Flagging in the Park-Dallas” on Easter Sunday at Lubben Plaza.
Daniel A. Kusner
Lubben Plaza, 400 S. Market St. at Young St. April 16 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Subject to rain cancellation. www.dancertexas.com/fitpdallas.html
NICE BASKETS
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This weekend, Peter Cottontail will be busy in Oak Lawn. There will be two Easter Basket Auctions benefiting the Nutrition Center, a food-assistance program for people living HIV.
On Friday, The Texas Gay Rodeo Association and The Round-Up Saloon team up to auction about 90 baskets that will contain trips, gift certificates, hotel stays, wines, cheeses, hair care products and goodies galore. On Friday and Saturday, baskets will be on preview display at the Round-Up’s Parlor Stage. Auction begins Sunday at 7 p.m.
The Round-Up Saloon, 3912 Cedar Springs Road. Preview, April 14-15. Auction, Apr. 16 at 7 p.m. 214-522-9611
On Saturday, the Hidden Door and members of the T-Bear Club team up for their 13th annual Easter Basket Auction. About 13 baskets are on the auction block. Basket preview begins at 7 p.m., auction and drag show at 8 p.m. All proceeds from this auction benefit the Nutrition Center.
Hidden Door, 5025 Bowser. April 15 at 7 p.m. 214-526-0620.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, April 14, 2006.
